Ian Boucher

They’re selling postcards of the hanging...

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@AlanJLSmith @Peston The IFS has a good breakdown of where money is spent. Increases have mainly been health and social security (pensions). We have an ageing population and also the world is seeing rising health inflation. But most of our money is spent because boomer generation are retiring….

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles Has it been put to Evatt that these sorts of performances aren’t new? They’ve happened in each of the last three seasons. Play off semi, Wigan games, Blackpool, Play off final, Hudds and on…it’s an old problem never sorted.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@LukeTryl @DanGreenJourno Great article and I entirely agree that labours strategy was one for a time when all they had to worry about were the Tories. 2010 strategy for a much more polarised world. They were absolutely right to blame them but ignored building anti establishment views - nonsense but real

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@robfordmancs I think a question that needs answering is whether traditional centre left (or centre right) government and sensible fiscally responsible policy can survive in the current climate.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@JamesMelville Labour haven’t changed, you have. Read your pieces of 4 years ago. Pro public sector pay rises. Pro workers rights. That’s Labour as they have been for most of their history. Allied to fiscal discipline. Wilson, Blair, Kinnock. This is Labour. You are the one who has changed.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles ‘One of the most one side games you will see.’ Mansfield had more shots and more on target. Can he not face up to reality or is he now resigned to having to just defend the performances regardless of how abject they are?

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@SBBWFC @MarcIles Yep at minimum. It’s embarrassing reading that list really compared to what we have now. Really brings it home.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@TrottersBlog Makes me sad watching this because what happened at Wembley killed it all. People lost any hope or belief and frankly I think it was not without justification. The manager and team let the town down in the worst of ways and what they’ve served up since has been dreadful.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@vickygrayson_ Yes but many of them operate overseas where they can make profits, which are often used to underwrite U.K. charitable obligations. They should lift the cap I agree but to do so means taxing someone to raise revenue- maybe those who can afford private school tuition maybe?

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@vickygrayson_ I suspect homeless kids have the least security of all. Maybe we should be focussing on the most in need and not pandering to private schools who are profit making organisations charging exorbitant fees already.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@vickygrayson_ No. You used an article about a desire to reduce homelessness particularly in children to complain about VAT on school fees. It was crass. Criticise the policy if you want but reducing homelessness and taxing private school fees are entirely compatible.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles Yeah I don’t dispute that. But unlike Evatt Bruce was constantly at loggerheads with the board over signings and worked miracles to promote us to the premiership from what he inherited. Especially considering there were big spenders round us, wolves, Boro etc…

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles Genuine question, does Evatt really think his record is so good here? Does he think matching Phil Neal is making him an unquestionable legend at the club? He keeps talking about it and I’m mystified. One promotion from league two at Bolton, then two big misses?

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles Football may be dispiriting at times and travel frustrating. I still think you’ve got the better deal there :)

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles It is except that Bruce wanted £1.5M to buy JAF and was told no. His record signing was £400K. Evatt has had monumental backing by comparison. He’s been able to change the side round at will through market. And he’s still talking about being ‘close’ as being enough…..

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@JBUKUC @candascott @SizzleBang @TomABacon @deano4alex This isn’t true much of the public sector directly accounts and contributes towards GDP. The private sector makes a lot of money but most of it ends up in the pockets of shareholders many of whom don’t live here. We aren’t in the 1970’s and 80’s anymore.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles Fair I mangled some leagues up. But my broad point still stands that his record in terms of Bolton managers is near the bottom end of the list. Not the top end. Especially given the resources he’s had in comparison - Bruce and Sam would be envious.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles He’s one of only 2 managers in Bolton’s history to have failed to get the club promoted from this level at first time of asking. I’m not sure that is a record to be shouting about. Especially given the resources he’s has available.

[Ian Boucher @desolationrow41]

@MarcIles @ChrisHajdar The trouble is he can’t seem to accept he and his team have continually let the fans down in the biggest games. That’s not something that suggests a good job. And I’d be happier if he didn’t keep saying he doesn’t know why. Not sure his position warrants a lack of humility.